Information About Isabel - Ladbroke Grove teacher

Personal Description:

Hi! My name is Isabel, I’m currently a student at the Royal College of Music on the last year of my Bachelor of Music studies and I will begin the Master of Performance next year!

I am a Spanish double bass player and I’ve been in the UK for 7 years. During my education I have had the opportunity to work alongside many great bass players, both performers and pedagogues, who I have learnt from and shaped my current teaching style. Some of this great professors include: Rodrigo Moro (LSO Principal Bass), Nicholas Bayley (BBC Symphony Principal), Tim Gibbs (Philharmonia Principal), Rupert Ring (Sub-principal bass) and Caroline Emery among many others.

I have an up to date Enhaced DBS Check

Tutoring Experience:

I have a broad teaching experience through different levels and ages. I am mainly teaching privately 1-1 lessons to both adults and children that are Grade 1-5.

I have taught in East London Late Starters Orchestra, the aim of this institution was for adult beginners to learn an instrument.

I have also taught at Ealing Junior Music School and the level ranged from Grade 1 to Grade 8 and the age from as young as 6 years old to a grown up adult!

Tutoring Approach:

I understand that everyone has different needs and goals when learning music. These can include: Learning towards exams and ABRSM Grades, learning for fun and to be able to play with friends, learning as a side hobbie or it could be that you don’t know yet what your intentions are and that is completely okay!

I focus a lot on making lessons fun and learning trough playing. Lessons will include technique and pieces alongside some duets every now and then!

I am very aware of how we use our body to play the double bass so posture and comfort are a priority to me in order to avoid future injuries and tension. I do this through the Alexander Technique.

A lesson might cover most of this aspects:
- Good posture and technique (to help students play with greater ease and less effort)
- Warm-ups and scales
- Building a strong sense of rhythm
- Learning to play pieces that each student enjoys
- Repertoire
- Musical expression
- Practise guidance and techniques

FIRST LESSON
Prior to the first lesson I will ask you about your current level, repertoire, confidence with your playing and what you desire to achieve from this lessons so I can be well prepared for the first time meeting. I will then introduce exercises and repertoire appropriate to the level of the student.

LEVEL
I have experience with students of all levels and ages. I believe that music has an important role in everyone’s life. Whether coming to instruction for the first time, been playing for a while or returning after many years I’ll be more than happy to help!

I will use different book methods depending on what your needs and goals are. Some of the books might include: Bass is Best (Caroline Emery), Bow Works (Caroline Emery), Rabbath Technique Books (Volume 1-3), Amazing Solos (Angela Schofield) and Double Bass Solo 1 (Keith Hartley).